ACORNS 65 



being planted apex downwards, the plumule would need 

 to make greater eJBfort to reach the light and so need greater 

 protection. Subsequent observation did not, however, 

 confirm this view ; although it did not negative it. 



In the following week one of the horizontally potted seeds 

 showed, as one would expect, advanced development and a 

 more vigorous growth. There were more root filaments, 

 but no branch roots. Additional leaf buds were seen at 

 various points along the plumule, to which they were closely 

 adherent instead of, as in the Hazel, being borne on stalks. 



A fourth seed — one potted with its apex directed upwards 

 — ^gave me an unpleasant surprise. So far as could be seen 

 the radicle and plumule had issued from different parts of 

 the seed and the collar was conspicuous by its absence. 



I had been quite clear that the outgrowth was continuous, 

 and that anatomically, if not functionally, the stem was a 

 continuation of the root. And here was a specimen in which 

 the plumule emerged from one part of the seed and the 

 radicle from another. It was unbelievable. 



^^^J2 



** An escape from this dilemma," as Dr. Waller puts it, 

 would be to say that while the stem is generally considered 

 to be a continuation of the root at least one instance has 

 been known where they were anatomically distinct ! 



